macro filters help with confusion

Tamron SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical IF for Canon

01/11/2006 11:47:13 AM · #1

Sorry for the dumb question here. I just received as a gift 3 Macro filters +1, +2 & +4; and I don't know how/when to use them. I understand that these basically increase the magnification of a close up subject., right? I read everyone talking about Macro lenses...are these filters just adapting a lens to be able to do macro? Can they be used on any lenses or just specific Macro lenses?

Looks like I am rambling here. Obviously confused. Please just push me in the right direction, I'll learn the rest. Thanks for your time

nards656

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/11/2006 11:56:03 AM · #2

Just bumping this because Karmat has a set that we can't seem to make any sense of either.

Are they useless, or do they only work in certain situations with certain lenses??????

DjFenzl

01/11/2006 12:02:05 PM · #3

I had a set years ago for my all manual Minolta. THey worked on all my lenses just fine. When you put them on they basically turn your lens into a macro lens - you focus by getting closer or further away from the subject. While functional - honestly they don't do the best job.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/11/2006 12:05:41 PM · #4

As long as you can mount them (they have the correct diameter or you have an adpater ring) they will work with pretty much any lens. They are best used with focal lengths abbove about 50mm, but will work below that.
They work just like holding a magnifying glass in front of your eye. They can be stacked, but optical performance will deteriorate somewhat. You will need to just set the focus on the lens and move the camera back & forth to focus; the working distance can be quite short. Use diffused flash for best lighting.

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

01/11/2006 12:15:47 PM · #5

ok....its getting clearer to me....I couldn't seem to get a focus...but as kirbic just explained, {set the focus and move the camera back and forth to focus} makes more sense to me...I was trying it on a shorter focal length and getting close and could not get it to work right.

Thank you....at least I have an idea what I should be trying to do now.....

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

01/11/2006 12:21:13 PM · #6

When you do mount them, always put the highest magnification closest to the lens. So if you have a +4 +2 and +1 the +4 should be mounted first and then the +2 etc. Remember though that the more filters you stack image quality suffers. You should not use more than 2 at a time.

A plus 1 diopter lens has a focal length of 1 meter and will shift the point of focus from infinity to 1 meter. A plus 2 has a focal length of .5 meter and shifts the point of focus to .5 meter and so on. When you combine them the effect is additive. So using a +1 and a +2 will be the same as adding a single diopter with a value of +3.

Hope this helps.

Tamron SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical IF for Canon

01/11/2006 12:48:52 PM · #7

I think it does....especially the order part....little things I didn't find in reading...I knew I could count on clear answers here.

Thanks

nards656

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/11/2006 01:06:42 PM · #8

So if a lens has a close focus of .9 feet, these lenses would be useless, right? Only if the lens has "closest focus" of a shorter distance than these would it help, righ?

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

01/11/2006 01:14:16 PM · #9

Originally posted by nards656:

So if a lens has a close focus of .9 feet, these lenses would be useless, right? Only if the lens has "closest focus" of a shorter distance than these would it help, righ?

Not exactly. If the lens has a close focus distance of .9 feet then using these filters will reduce the close focus distance. That will only be a concern if you are using a lens hood.

paddles

Pentax K10D

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

01/11/2006 04:15:40 PM · #10

As someone else said, simply add one or two of them in front of a lens with the appropriate filter thread diameter.

Remember that with macro, your in-focus range is very short and your depth of field is very small. Your subject will be very close to the front of your lens. Depending on what you're shooting, you might find it easier to mount the camera on a tripod, and then move your subject backwards and forwards to get the appropriate focus. If you're going to get into macrophotography, then it might be worth getting a macro plate for your tripod, it mounts on the tripod then you mount your camera on the macro plate, it then gives you very fine control over the camera position. Manfrotto's version is part number 454.

I once took a shot where the subject was less than half an inch from the front of my lens.